1.   A referral to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission would put the bid on ice for weeks and undercut hopes for other takeovers in the electricity industry.

2.   GERMAN stocks fell, tracking a slide in the dollar, as the weak bond market undercut earnings hopes for financial companies.

3.   That further undercut hopes for a Fed rate rise.

4.   Reeker urged restraint and condemned terrorism, saying it undercuts hopes among Kashmiris for a free and fair election to choose local leaders.

5.   The expansion undercuts Palestinian hopes of establishing a future capital in or near the disputed city.

6.   The Palestinians oppose construction in the Ras al-Amud neighborhood, saying it undercuts their hopes to establish a capital in the eastern sector.